RATIONALE: Diagnostic procedures, such as MRI, may help in learning how well radiation therapy and chemotherapy work in killing tumor cells and allow doctors to plan better treatment.

PURPOSE: This clinical trial is studying MRI scans to see how well they evaluate the effects of radiation therapy and chemotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme or anaplastic glioma.

Affects of a short period of 100% oxygen inhalation on imaging of tumor and surrounding tissue regions of interest, specifically cerebral blood volume changes in each area as compared to room air [ Time Frame: months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

To quantitatively compare the relative cerebral blood volume/flow, mean transit time, and mean vessel diameter as measured by perfusion-weighted MRI before, during, and after chemoradiotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme.

To measure the permeability-surface area product on a voxel-by-voxel basis before, during, and after chemoradiotherapy in these patients.

To measure the full water self-diffusion tensor on a voxel-by-voxel basis before, during, and after chemoradiotherapy in these patients.

To compare the tensor fractional anisotropy before, during, and after chemoradiotherapy in these patients.

To compare the relative regional concentrations of choline, N-acetyl-asparate, and myoinositol as measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy before, during, and after chemoradiotherapy to interrogate cell membrane turnover, neuronal integrity, and glial reactions.

To test the affects of a short period of 100% oxygen inhalation on imaging of tumor and surrounding tissue regions of interest, specifically cerebral blood volume changes in each area as compared to room air.

To correlate blood and urine biomarkers and blood genetic markers with tumor expression of these markers.

OUTLINE: Patients undergo radiotherapy once daily 5 days a week for 6 weeks. Patients also receive oral temozolomide once daily 7 days a week during radiotherapy. After completion of chemoradiotherapy, patients receive oral temozolomide once daily for 5 days. Treatment with temozolomide repeats every 28 days in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Patients undergo MRI, including perfusion- and diffusion-weighted MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy prior to initiation of chemoradiotherapy, once weekly during chemoradiotherapy, and then monthly until tumor progression or until completion of 6 courses of post chemoradiotherapy.

High risk for kidney disease (e.g., age > 60 years, diabetes, or history of systemic lupus erythematosus or multiple myeloma)

No known history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or emphysema

No other co-existing condition that, in the judgement of the investigator, may increase risk to the patient

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

See Disease Characteristics

Non-VEGF investigational agent allowed

No concurrent chemotherapy (other than temozolomide)

No concurrent electron, proton, particle, or implant radiotherapy

No concurrent stereotactic radiosurgery

No concurrent anti-VEGF anti-tumor agents

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Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00756106